Masta Killa was the last member to join the Wu-Tang Clan; consequently he did not appear on the group's debut single "Protect Ya Neck". He was also the only member not to already be an experienced rapper at the time of the group's formation. He was extensively mentored by the GZA during his early days with the group, evident in the similar flow they both employ. He derived his rap name from the 1978 kung-fu film Shaolin Master Killer, (Shao Lin san shi liu fang). Masta only appeared on one track on the Wu-Tang Clan's first album in 1993, though his only verse on the album, the closing verse to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin", is considered by many fans to be one of its most memorable. Masta only narrowly made the track, and was almost left off in favor of Killah Priest. In fact, on the No Said Date DVD, Killah Priest claims that he and Masta Killa were in competition for the spot on Da Mystery of Chessboxin', and while Killah Priest fell asleep, Masta Killa stayed up all night writing rhymes and Killah Priest woke up the next morning to Masta Killa's verse. Since he was a developing rapper at the time Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was being written, his verse in "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" was the only one that could hold up with the other, more experienced Wu-Tang members.
During the first round of solo projects, he made several appearances on tracks now considered Wu-Tang classics, such as "Winter Warz", "Duel of the Iron Mic", and "Glaciers of Ice". His flow at the time attracted attention for being very slow and laid-back, in contrast to the more manic, forceful styles of members like Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killah. Masta Killa is also the Clansman fondest of Chinese martial arts imagery. In 1997, the Wu-Tang Clan's second album Wu-Tang Forever saw Masta become a mainstay in the group's line-up with regular appearances throughout the double album.
Masta Killa was the last member to release a solo project, after it was delayed for several years and finally released in June 2004 (2004 in music) with the title No Said Date. It was critically acclaimed and heralded by fans as a return to form for the Clan, with an ethos and sound reminiscent of the early and mid-1990s Wu-Tang and affiliate albums. His second album, Made in Brooklyn, was released in August 8, 2006, and includes production from Pete Rock and MF DOOM. "Ringing Bells", the Bronze Nazareth-produced lead single from the album, was released in March 2006. Also in 2006, Masta Killa became the latest in a succession of hip hop artists to endorse PETA, also participating in an advertisement for the organization and is also vegetarian.
He is known for being the most quiet and mysterious member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and little is still known about him. He rarely speaks in Wu-Tang interviews, and does not give many independent interviews. "I know I seem serious and quiet to a lot of the fans. That's because I take my work seriously. It's not a game. The Clan and I work hard to give you the best," says Masta Killa.
Name
Masta Killa takes his name from the 1978 film by Lau Kar-leung called Master Killer also known as The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. The main character in the movie is played by Gordon Liu who can be seen in many other films including a double role in Kill Bill.
Aliases
Jamel Irief (pron. Juh-mel I-reef)
High Chief
Noodles (from the film Once Upon a Time in America)
Cereal Man
Luongo
School
Masta Killa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You shouldn't be back for another two hours
Now answer me what are you doing home?
(I got suspended) Suspended? For what?
(Nothing) A good student like you, don't get suspended for nothing
Now why were you sent home? ('Cause I'm black!)
Bangin' on the lunchroom table, I used to spectate
Throw verses back and forth, I didn't have the heart to step forth
I used to take it home to write some of my own
But still I wasn't ready to touch the mic-phone
The back staircases of school was filled with blunt residue
A broken light bulb and the crew, a man or two
Bangin' on the wall while a few M.C.'s, shoot the breeze
I'm just passin' through, I might've took two off the trees
We fiend for this hip hop quarantine
Listen out for the walkie talkies of the Dean (security coming)
Bododo school!
Sat in the back of the class with my hand up
Two wild security guards, grabbed my man up
Threw him in detention for 5 days suspension
'Cause he said, the teacher was lyin about the Indians
Tryin to dumb us with the story of Columbus
And brain-numb us, when all you see, that came from us
They copy-carvin, I learned about God and
Taggin Wu logo on the book margin
Intense like a New York riot, she stood quiet
And asked me, could she speak to me in private
(Mr. Diggs, you actin' like a fool) Huh?
(You know these rules that we have in these schools) Yeah..
(You and your friends think ya'll cool) Why?
('Cause ya'll walk through these halls with the 12 jewels)
Phat shoe laces and tri-colored sneakers
I stood like a man then I questioned my teacher
Why don't we speak about the wisdom of the sages?
And how did Europe black out in the dark ages?
And when they got light did they white-wash the pages?
And the inquisition, why was Christian thrown in cages?
And why wuld they try to destroy the nation?
With their birth control and bring control floridation?
And why it seems that half the school is racist?
She said "Diggs, to the office!" We about faces
Handed my paper with the proper title
Who wrote the holy Koran or Bible?
Bein' that person with the scent ability
Makes me responsible for the uncivil
The next morning as I entered the building
A cypher goin' on and the Gods is building
My hot chocolate spillin', after 5th period
Let's cut out, go bag some chicks up at Tilden
Wonderful had the rental, "Nobody Beats the Biz"
Instrumental, attractin' a few
Nothin' really poppin', let's slide to Clara Barton
Bumped into a few good brothers from Morgas Martin
Mentioned Norman Thomas, had chicks
That'll hit flicks, and take you shopping, true indeed
I thought Sarah J. had the one that I need
Mary Burtrum, Julia Richmond, is it fashion?
Elijah Whitney sing the song with me
Sisters from Washington Irv. swing a arm
Brothers in death, pull the fire alarm
Rude ones flow rapness, Western House money makers
Maxwell thunder hip shakers
They not on my level, but I can sit with the O.G.'s from there
And make it major, youknowhatimean? (That's what's nigga)
Right, but, we not doing that until we get this business settled
And even while we doing that, we try'nna get the Wu-Tang niggaz
'Cause I love them niggaz, I feel as though
They represent the east coast, how we represent the west coast
And I love them
The song "School" by Masta Killa reflects his experiences growing up in the 1980s attending school in Brooklyn, New York. In the first part of the song, Masta Killa portrays a scene where a young Black student is questioned about being sent home from school early, supposedly due to his race. The lyrics highlight the concept of racial injustice in the education system, where students of color are subject to harsher disciplinary measures.
The second part of the song talks about Masta Killa's passion for hip hop culture while he was in school. He describes observing rap battles, writing his own raps, and encountering the police or administration's interference. The track depicts how hip hop was not only a source of entertainment for him and his peers but also served as a channel for them to express their societal frustrations.
Line by Line Meaning
What are you doing home from school so early?
Asking why the person is back from school early
You shouldn't be back for another two hours
Stating that the person should have stayed at school for two more hours
Now answer me what are you doing home?
Inquiring again why the person is back home
(I got suspended) Suspended? For what?
Expressing shock and disbelief at the person being suspended
(Nothing) A good student like you, don't get suspended for nothing
Pointing out that a good student doesn't usually get suspended for no reason
Now why were you sent home? ('Cause I'm black!)
Making a sarcastic remark about the possibility of being sent home due to being black
Bangin' on the lunchroom table, I used to spectate
Watching other students rap on the lunchroom table and not participating
And watch some of the M.C. greats
Observing the great rappers display their skills
Throw verses back and forth, I didn't have the heart to step forth
Listening to the rappers exchange verses but not having the courage to participate
I used to take it home to write some of my own
Taking the lyrics and rhymes heard at school and writing his own
But still I wasn't ready to touch the mic-phone
Feeling not ready to perform on a microphone
The back staircases of school was filled with blunt residue
Noticing the residue of marijuana on the back staircases of the school
A broken light bulb and the crew, a man or two
Seeing some broken glass and a few people hanging around
Bangin' on the wall while a few M.C.'s, shoot the breeze
Hearing some MCs chatting while making noise by banging on the wall
We fiend for this hip hop quarantine
Craving and being addicted to hip-hop music and culture
Listen out for the walkie talkies of the Dean (security coming)
Being aware of the school security and taking precautions not to get caught with something illegal
Sat in the back of the class with my hand up
Sitting at the back of the class and raising his hand to answer the teacher's question
Two wild security guards, grabbed my man up
Two aggressive security guards grabbing a student he knew
Threw him in detention for 5 days suspension
Punishing him by detaining him for 5 days and suspending him from school
('Cause he said, the teacher was lyin about the Indians)
The reason for his friend's punishment was for accusing the teacher of lying about the indigenous people
Tryin to dumb us with the story of Columbus
Imposing a false version of history on the students by glorifying Columbus
And brain-numb us, when all you see, that came from us
Trying to suppress the contributions made by people of color
They copy-carvin, I learned about God and
Copying the teachings without any originality, while he learned about God and
Taggin Wu logo on the book margin
Tagging the Wu-Tang Clan's logo on the margin of a book
Intense like a New York riot, she stood quiet
Feeling as intense as during a New York riot and the teacher, instead, keeps silence
And asked me, could she speak to me in private
Asking to have a private conversation with him
(Mr. Diggs, you actin' like a fool) Huh?
Replying in confusion upon being called a fool
('You know these rules that we have in these schools) Yeah..
Acknowledging the rules that govern schools
('You and your friends think ya'll cool) Why?
Asking why the teacher thinks that he and his friends believe they are cool
('Cause ya'll walk through these halls with the 12 jewels)
Explaining that they walk around with the 12 jewels symbolizing the lessons from the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths
Phat shoe laces and tri-colored sneakers
Wearing sneakers with fat laces and having three colors
I stood like a man then I questioned my teacher
Remaining confident while asking the teacher hard questions
Why don't we speak about the wisdom of the sages?
Questioning why there's not much discussion about the wisdom of the wise people of the past
And how did Europe black out in the dark ages?
Seeking knowledge on the reasons for the lack of knowledge during the dark ages in Europe
And when they got light did they white-wash the pages?
Wondering if the historians in Europe tried to suppress people of color from history
And the inquisition, why was Christian thrown in cages?
Challenging the misdeeds of the Christian inquisition
And why wuld they try to destroy the nation?
Questioning why some forces might aim to destroy a nation
With their birth control and bring control floridation?
Contemplating the dubious motives behind forced birth control and fluoride control in the water
And why it seems that half the school is racist?
Observing the existence of racism among half the school population
She said 'Diggs, to the office!' We about faces
Being sent to the office due to challenging the teacher with difficult questions
Handed my paper with the proper title
Handing over a paper with a suitable title
Who wrote the holy Koran or Bible?
Asking a profound question about the authorship of the holy Quran and the Bible
Bein' that person with the scent ability
Being the one who is capable of perceiving certain smells better than others
Makes me responsible for the uncivil
Taking responsibility for the improper behavior of others because of his better ability to detect certain smells
The next morning as I entered the building
Starting a new day by entering the school building
A cypher goin' on and the Gods is building
Being greeted by a group of people freestyling and building something new
My hot chocolate spillin', after 5th period
Having a hot chocolate mess while going to the next class after fifth period
Let's cut out, go bag some chicks up at Tilden
Going to Tilden School to meet some girls and hang out
Wonderful had the rental, 'Nobody Beats the Biz'
Having the rental car named Wonderful and playing the instrumental of the song 'Nobody Beats the Biz'
Instrumental, attractin' a few
Attracting a few people with the instrumental
Nothin' really poppin', let's slide to Clara Barton
Finding no excitement in Tilden and going to Clara Barton School instead
Bumped into a few good brothers from Morgas Martin
Meeting with some good people from Morgas Martin School
Mentioned Norman Thomas, had chicks
Discussing Norman Thomas School with some girls
That'll hit flicks, and take you shopping, true indeed
Having some girls showing an interest in him and promising to take him shopping
I thought Sarah J. had the one that I need
Thinking Sarah J. was the one he wanted
Mary Burtrum, Julia Richmond, is it fashion?
Mentioning Mary Burtrum and Julia Richmond Schools, and wondering about fashion trends there
Elijah Whitney sing the song with me
He and Elijah Whitney singing a song together
Sisters from Washington Irv. swing a arm
Observing some girls from the Washington Irving School
Brothers in death, pull the fire alarm
Some people causing trouble by pulling the fire alarm
Rude ones flow rapness, Western House money makers
Some people from Western House rapping under the influence of drugs and wearing expensive clothes
Maxwell thunder hip shakers
Maxwell causing excitement with his impressive dance moves
They not on my level, but I can sit with the O.G.'s from there
Feeling that he is better than some people there but still being able to hang out with the older group
And make it major, youknowhatimean? (That's what's nigga)
Asking the listener whether they understand that he can make it big
Right, but, we not doing that until we get this business settled
Acknowledging the need to resolve some business issues before pursuing a music career
And even while we doing that, we try'nna get the Wu-Tang niggaz
Attempting to get in touch with the Wu-Tang Clan during the process of resolving the business issues
('Cause I love them niggaz, I feel as though
Making the point that he loves the Wu-Tang Clan, and he feels that they represent the East Coast like he represents the West Coast
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Alice Cooper, Michael Bruce
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind